Gregoire endorses Denny Heck for Congress

In a letter to her political contributors, Gov. Chris Gregoire is endorsing businessman and onetime legislator Denny Heck as the Democratic candidate to succeed retiring 3rd District U.S. Rep. Brian Baird.

A pair of Democratic lawmakers from Clark County, state Sen. Craig Pridemore and state Rep. Deb Wallace, are already running for the nomination.

“We know and respect the other candidates in the race, and consider them fine public servants,” said the letter, signed by Gregoire, former Gov. Booth Gardner, State Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler and ex-Rep. Don Bonker.

“However, this is a unique time for our country and we believe Denny Heck is a
candidate who can win in November and start fighting for Southwest Washington in Congress on day one.”

Heck is an old Olympia hand, but has not held public office in more than two decades.

He was a state representative from Clark County in the 1980s, but quit to become chief clerk of the House of Representatives. He later served as chief of staff when Gardner was governor.

Heck is best known, in recent years, as co-founder and original chief executive officer of TVW, the state’s public affairs television network. He has seeded the House campaign with $100,000 of his own money.

The Gregoire letter takes pains to establish Heck’s links to the main population center in the 3rd District. It notes that he was born in Vancouver “and raised in the Lake Shore area of Clark County.”

The 3rd District stretches from Thurston County south to the Columbia River, and includes Pacific County and portions of Grays Harbor County. It is considered a “swing” district, with a big block of Republican votes in Lewis County.

According to the latest economic statistics, Clark County has the state’s highest unemployment rate. Cowlitz County has also suffered a jobless rate much higher than the 9.5 percent statewide unemployment figure.

The Democrats’ 3rd District field will begin to display its wares at two upcoming party events.

The state Democratic Party stages a big crab feed at St. Martin’s College in Olympia on President’s Day.

On March 13, Pacific County Democrats hold their annual crab feed in South Bend. The Pacific County event has the reputation of being more fun.